130 years ago: The Kootenay Star, September 30, 1893
A rich gold strike was discovered on the Kettle River near Boundary Creek. With $10 to $20 being made each day, prospectors had been flocking in. The average worker made approx. $1.55 per day at this time.
120 years ago: Revelstoke Herald, September 29, 1903
The Canadian Pacific Railway blacksmiths and helpers returned to work after 10 days on strike. While it was assumed that some concessions had been given to these men, the particulars of the settlement remained unknown.
110 years ago: The Mail-Herald, September 27, 1913
Work on six large bridges on the proposed Okanagan-Revelstoke highway would be rushed to be completed that autumn. The bridge over North Folk would be 110 feet long, while the bridges at Malakwa and Sicamous would be 140 feet long.
100 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 26, 1923
The Revelstoke Branch of the Red Cross Society raised $166.66 (approximately $2900 in 2023) to aid in the relief of those affected by Japan’s Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. The Boy Scouts contributed $13.10 from among themselves and the City Council made a donation of $50.
90 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, September 29, 1933
For the first time in many years, Mount Mackenzie kept its snow throughout the summer. A late spring delayed the melting process and an early fall brought fresh snow before last season’s had disappeared.
80 years ago: The Revelstoke Review, September 30, 1943
Hundreds of railway workers from the Revelstoke Division of the Canadian Pacific Railway were included in the 140,000 railway workers who made a formal application to the National War Labor Board for wage increases. The unions noted that nearly all other large Canadian industries granted their employees one or two wage increases during the war, but that railway employees had not seen a wage increase since 1927.
70 years ago: Revelstoke Review, October 1, 1953
A bull moose stormed a car on the Big Bend Highway and attempted to push it off of the road. No injuries were reported, but the car’s front fender was dented by the moose’s antlers. The drivers later saw a grizzly bear near Radium Hot Springs.
60 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 26, 1963.
Ruby Nobbs represented the Revelstoke and District Historical Association and the local museum at the annual BC Museums Association meeting which was held in Kelowna that year.
50 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 27, 1973
Hon. William L. Hartley, Minister of Public Works, visited Revelstoke to examine to renovations undertaken at the local Court House. This was the first major restoration work done on the Court House since it was built 61 years prior, and the restoration took 4 years to complete.
40 years ago: Revelstoke Review, September 28, 1983
It was announced at the Alpine Ski Society meeting that if $250,000 wasn’t raised before October 15, the Mount Mackenzie Ski Hill would not be opening for the 1983 ski season. The total cost for the purchase, operation, and expansion of Mount Mackenzie for the upcoming season would be $815,000, which could be covered by a combination of government grants, fundraising, and loans.
30 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, September 28, 1993
BC Hydro began making plans for hydroelectric expansion at Revelstoke and Mica dams. Environmental studies were beginning to determine the impact to the Columbia River if generating units were added to each dam.
The dams were built to hold six generated units each, although they both housed four at the time. The study was expected to take one year to complete.
20 years ago: Revelstoke Times Review, October 1, 2003
Energy Systems of Maple Ridge planned to build a 8.5-megawatt run-of-the-river mini power plant south of Revelstoke on South Cranberry Creek. 3 years went into the study and planning of the South Cranberry Creek power project. It was estimated to cost between $12 million and $15 million, and would provide up to 50 jobs. Once completed, the dam would be known as Walter Hardman Project.
Compiled by Mandy Broberg, collections manager, Revelstoke Museum and Archives.